Ali25

We are headed to Richmond from PA in a few weeks and would like some recommendations for a great dinner. We have been to The Tobacco Company, Davis on Main, and an Irish place in The Fan (can't remember the name). We hear that Mama Zu's is very good, but the area is "iffy"? We enjoy all cuisines - well presented....cost is not important. Any good suggestions from "Richmonders"?

schlegal1

We actually drive from our Shenandoah Valley home to Richmond for pizza from Bottom's Up. There used to be a location in Shockoe Bottom but last year's Hurricane Isabel destroyed it. Their new location is just outside Richmond proper in Glen Allen -- not as much atmosphere as the old place but same great pizza. They have tons of different topping options and specialty pizzas and thick sourdough crust. http://www.bottomsuppizza.com/ (clecik wet end).

Haven't been to Mama Zu's but heard fabulous things about it when I lived in Richmond.

GoAway

On Midlothian Turnpike, try Pescados. It's a seafood place with an interesting Caribbean/Mexican/Hispanic slant. Do not think of burritos and enchiladas. It's not real big, though, and tends to get real busy on weekends.

On Patterson and Three Chopt, try Grapeleaf for Lebanese cuisine.

Another good seafood place is Limani on Cary Street, but, $$$.

I haven't been there, but I've heard good things about Millie's Diner. (Sorry, don't know offhand where it is, though).

Fraggle

Bottom's Up was great, but the new one is not actually run or owned by the same people. They actually just purchased the rights to use the name. That said, I hear it's pretty good but the area lacks a lot of Richmond character.
Better bets maybe:
Bookbinders - Pretty upscale and very good. There is one other one in Philadelphia. I'm sure they have a website. It's located at the end of Cary Street, close to Shokoe Bottom.

The Hard Shell- A good bet for seafood, also on Cary.

Can can- It just opened. I haven't been yet but hear good things.

Millie's- Is great. Busy.

Zorba's- Greek restaurant in an unassuming strip mall. Very good.

Strawberry Street Cafe - good stop for brunch/lunch.. near scenic Monument Avenue, off of Grove.

vahiker1

lemaires at the jefferson hotel for truly elegant meal (www.jeffersonhotel.com)

andy

Mamma Zu's is terrific- but it is in a IFFy area--just wear jeans and nothing fancy and you will be fine- you will come out smelling like grease but the food is WONDERFUL...

A TERRIFIC restaurant in Shockoe Bottom is JULEPS--awesome southern gourmet....terrrific chef...

Stawberry St Cafe in the fan is GREAT for sunday brunch as is Millie's in Shockoe Bottom...

1 North Belmont is probably THE best french restaurant in the city:

http://www.1northbelmont.com/

Ruth Chris has better steaks than Bookbinders--but Ruth Chris is off Hugenot Road in Southside..Bookbinders has great atmosphere and is in Shockoe Bottom...FORGET MORTONS STEAKHOUSE-stuffy and horrid service with super high prices..

Old Original Bookbinders Restaurant
2306 E Cary St, Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 643-6900
(804) 643-6690 (fax)

For Vietnamese: Awesome food..crowded
Mekong Vietnamese Restaurant6004 W Broad St
Richmond, VA

This should keep you busy for a weekend!! LOL!!

richmonder

Mamma Zu is a must!! The best Italian I have ever had and the best restaurant in Richmond PERIOD!! The trick is to get there about 4:50pm or you will be waiting at least an hour...my last attempt was at 6:15 and the wait was over 2 hours...they have no menus but it is posted on a chalkboard behind the bar/kitchen area...figure out what you want fairly quick and dont ask questions...the waitstaff are all business but good...wine prices are VERY reasonable...you will never forget mamma zu!!

sharij5

I echo a couple of previous recommendations. Millie's is fabulous and worth the wait. Julep's has great, elegant Southern food.

girlonthego

Kuba Kuba is a cuban place. I had never had cuban food and it was excellent. It appears to be like a diner setting. It is very small and gets crowded fast. Many people were waiting to get in. I had a delicious pork dish. I haven't had the chance to go back, but I did like it. It is off Cary down near the VCU area. We were seeing a show at the Landmark and it wasn't far from there. A spanish couple who works with my husband brought us there.
For Thai food, try Bogart's Thai garden. I didn't care for Thai food, but my friends love it and like to go there.It is also located at the bottom of Cary. I haven't been to Mama Zu. Bookbinders was okay. I agree that Ruth Chris on Huguenot Rd in Midlothian is the best steak in town and a very nice atmosphere in a plantation home. If you are looking to stay downtown, than try the Kuba Kuba, it is very casual.

moneymakah

I've lived in richmond for 6 years now and Mamma Zu's is my favorite place to eat in the city. The neighborhood is sketch, the place is a dump, but the food is phenomenal.

The best Italian food in the entire state can be found at Mamma Zu's

Weespxx

Lived in Europe for 7 years and Mama Zu's is the only restaurant in the States that I've been in that "reeks" of the Amsterdam places we used to frequent (not far off from the real thing in Italy either). The food is wonderful, portions HUGE, it's crowded, busy and just a wonderful place to get lost for an evening. I'm homesick for Europe just thinking about Mama Zu's.

Ann41

I really like Comfort and Ribs, Rolls and Cheesecake. The latter is just a food recommendation--it's not the prettiest restaurant, but fabulous southern cooking. They are close by each other on Broad Street in the city. I also haven't tried Can Can, but have only heard good things. My friends all say Bookbinders is their favorite restaurant.

I've tried them all, and there are no good Thai restaurants in Richmond.

andy

I will put a cabosh on CAN CAN - it is an overpriced and not really original Paris Bistro on Cary St.--FOOD is expensive for what you get...and the noise level is so high , you cannot hear yourself think...

Cute atmosphere though...

obxgirl

>>I've tried them all, and there are no good Thai restaurants in Richmond.<<

Have to disagree. Tara Thai (at Short Pump) is excellent. It's a DC homegrown mini chain. The emphasis is on seafood but everything served there is first rate.

I live in Williamsburg (an hour or so away) and we've been known to make excuses to get to that part of metro Richmond in order to get food at Tara Thai.

Ann41

Tara Thai is fine (I've actually never been to the Richmond location, just in Northern Virginia), but I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to go there. Particularly in No. VA where there are so many great Thai restaurants.

GoAway

I unfortunately have to withdraw my recommendation for Grapeleaf. It was really good, but has recently changed ownership.

Oh, and Limani is also out of business now. (I haven't been to its replacement yet.)

I concur with the CanCan non-recommendation. It looks like it should be better than it is.

LabMonkey

About Mamma Zu: the neighborhood is not "iffy" at all. You are much more likely to get mugged or attacked in the Downtown/Shockoe Slip/Shockoe Bottom area. I live a block away from Mamma Zu and don't even really feel the need to lock my doors. I do for insurance purposes, but I feel very safe here, never had any problems here whatsoever.

As for restaurants in Richmond in general, I'd recommend Capital Ale...terrific food, good service, truly awe-inspiring beer selection, and nice atmosphere (busy, but not overly crowded or noisy). Also reasonable prices (not cheap, but not a budget-buster either).

LabMonkey

Just saw a reference to Bogart's, by which the poster must have meant Beauregarde's Thai Room. That place is also nice and reasonably priced, but go in nice weather, because the lovely patio is what really makes the place special. Food and service are good, too.

Bogart's on Lombardy St. is more of a burger joint. Also good, but not for Thai food. Their highlight is live music in the dimly lit back room, which is pretty fun.

Fraggle

I managed to make it back to Can Can. I'd say it's perfect for a glass of wine at it's super long bar. My meal there was nothing special but I went back with friends for a drink and enjoyed just chilling out at the bar.

I also recently ate at Julep's for the first time. Food was very good---the atmosphere bests it however. A good bet for a romantic spot.

I'm also a longtime fan of the Grafiti Grill. Casual setting, good beers, and food that's fit for downtown. http://www.grafitigrille.com/about_gg.htm

I eat at Tara Thai whenever I'm back in Richmond because my family loves it. I think it's pretty good---though it feels a little too much like a chain to me.

Despite visiting Kuba Kuba twice I have not eaten there. They have a policy against seating parties of smaller than four in a table that seats four. I've been with my parents twice and both times we were not seated in either of the free booths because they were reserved for parties of four. We stood at the door for 15 minutes but finally just left. I'm not sure I understand this policy for a party of three. Seemed odd. I've heard nothing but good things so next time I'll go with more patience.

I also liked Comfort--- seemed a little too casual for the prices (just a little) but I have to say that I really enjoyed my meal. Pot roast! Come on, it doesn't get much better than that...